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UND doctors honored with Tow Humanism in Medicine Awards

Jennifer D. Raum, clinical associate professor of internal medicine at the School of Medicine and Health Sciences and an internal medicine specialist for Sanford Health in Fargo, was honored with the prestigious Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Faculty Award at the school’s commencement on May 14. Brandon L. Potter, a 2017 UND medical school graduate, received the Tow Award for graduating medical students.

Each year, Leonard Tow Humanism in Medicine Awards are presented to a graduating student and faculty member at over 100 of the nation’s medical schools. The Gold Foundation began the award in 1991 at Columbia University College of Physicians & Surgeons. The Healthcare Foundation of New Jersey began replicating these awards nationwide in 1998, with participation from the Gold Foundation. In 2003, with a generous donation from Leonard Tow, these awards became solely sponsored and administered by the Gold Foundation. This award is given to those who best demonstrate the Foundation’s ideals of outstanding compassion in the delivery of care; respect for patients, their families, and health care colleagues; and clinical excellence.

“Though her teaching and clinical skills are superb, Dr. Raum’s most defining feature is her genuine care for the well-being of others,” said Mark Schlotterback, M.D. Class of 2017. He worked to nominate Raum for the award. “Dr. Raum exudes genuine care, professionalism, and compassion in all that she does. She speaks with integrity and carries herself with rich authenticity. She inspires me to view medicine as a sacred calling of service, a calling for which she demonstrates reverence and selfless devotion.”

A Grand Forks, N.D., native, Raum has been a faculty member of the UND SMHS since 2008. She is a 2001 graduate of the University of North Dakota School of Medicine and Health Sciences and completed her residency training in internal medicine at Georgetown University Hospital in Washington, D.C. She is board-certified in internal medicine by the American Board of Internal Medicine.

In June of 2016, Denver, Colo., native Brandon L. Potter, M.D. 2017, was nominated by his peers to be one of 10 students inducted into the Gold Humanism Honor Society. Nominees were chosen based on the characteristics of humanism—integrity, excellence, compassion, altruism, respect, and empathy.

This year, Potter was chosen from the 10 inductees by the School’s Gold Humanism Honor Society Selection Committee to receive the 2017 Tow Humanism in Medicine Award. The committee is composed of the third- and fourth-year class presidents and six faculty members.

“Brandon is the embodiment of what we look for in a physician,” said Associate Professor of Biomedical Sciences Patrick A. Carr, Ph.D., director of Education Resources and assistant dean for Faculty Development, in his nomination letter. “He is selfless, personable, calm, understanding, and most importantly, places the highest value on the human connection. Brandon is most highly respected by both his peers and faculty.”

— Denis F. MacLeod, Assistant Director, Office of Alumni and Community Relations, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, 777.2733,denis.macleod@med.UND.edu